Shipping a horse overseas can be quite costly. It is a multi-stage process, and each stage has costs associated with it. If you need to ship a horse overseas, make sure you know the following information.
Isolation
Horses must be isolated at a USDA-approved facility for 30 days prior to being exported. The cost for this stage will be transport to a facility and the cost of the isolation period, typically $1,000 to $3,000.
Vaccinations and Bloodwork
Exporting a horse requires that a Coggins be drawn as well as additional bloodwork. This must be done by a USDA-approved veterinarian. The types of tests done and the cost will vary based on the horse's age, gender and current livestock health issues. The tests will cost approximately $1,000 to $3,000.
Pre-Boarding
On the day of the export, the horse will be transported to the airport and undergo an additional five-hour quarantine. Costs for this are based on travel time between the isolation facility and the nearest airport.
The Flight
The horse must be loaded into an approved and inspected container. The cost of renting this container varies, and can be upwards of $1,500. Horses cannot travel unaccompanied, so the cost of an attendant is also a consideration. The cost of the flight will vary based on airline and destination, and can range in price from $3,000 to $10,000 or more.
Considerations
There are many professional horse shipping companies. Most will be able to quote a fee that will cover the process from start to finish, including paperwork. While this adds additional costs, it can also prevent horse owners from making costly mistakes (see Resources).
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